Noah Baumbach has a new project on the way. His latest film, Jay Kelly, reunites him with Netflix and brings together George Clooney and Adam Sandler for a darkly comic take on identity, memory, and fame. The film premieres in select theaters on November 14 before arriving globally on Netflix on December 5.
Baumbach co-wrote the script with Emily Mortimer, who also joins the cast. Known for directing Marriage Story, White Noise, and The Meyerowitz Stories for Netflix, Baumbach brings his signature balance of humor and emotional weight to Jay Kelly, which centers on a disoriented actor and his long-time manager as they navigate personal reckoning on a European tour. The script marks Mortimer’s return to screenwriting after previous work on The Pursuit of Love and Doll & Em.
George Clooney takes on the role of Jay Kelly, a famous movie star who finds himself unmoored as his career continues. Adam Sandler plays Ron, the manager who has spent decades keeping Jay’s career on track. Their journey through Europe forces both men to question the past and the people who shaped them. The film examines the fading clarity of identity in a public life and the unresolved emotions that emerge under pressure.
The supporting cast includes a long list of names from both Baumbach’s regular collaborators and newcomers to his cinematic universe. Laura Dern and Greta Gerwig, both frequent presences in Baumbach’s previous films, return for this project. The ensemble also features Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Jim Broadbent, Alba Rohrwacher, Eve Hewson, and Patrick Wilson. Mortimer, who co-wrote the film, also appears in the cast, alongside Isla Fisher, Stacy Keach, and Josh Hamilton. The younger generation is represented by Grace Edwards, Louis Partridge, Charlie Rowe, Nicôle Lecky, and Thaddea Graham.
The production team includes longtime Baumbach collaborators David Heyman and Amy Pascal. Heyman has previously worked with Baumbach on Marriage Story and White Noise, while Pascal’s producing credits span from Little Women to Spider-Man: No Way Home. The creative team’s consistency signals another character-driven film built on carefully constructed relationships and layered dialogue.
Jay Kelly follows Baumbach’s recent co-writing credit on Barbie, which earned him an Oscar nomination. With this new release, he returns to his focus on flawed characters caught between self-awareness and confusion. Clooney’s past performances in films like Michael Clayton and Up in the Air make him a fitting choice for a role that requires both gravitas and emotional hesitation. Sandler’s track record in projects like Uncut Gems and Hustle shows his comfort in dramatic territory, especially when paired with directors who push him out of familiar rhythms.
Netflix will release Jay Kelly globally on December 5, following a limited theatrical run beginning November 14. This dual release strategy mirrors Baumbach’s past partnerships with the platform, offering theatrical visibility while prioritizing streaming access. As audiences prepare for awards season, Jay Kelly positions itself as both a character study and a comedic reflection on aging, memory, and public identity.
